Bob’s Marathon Training Routes

Bob Houghton was a fully active member of LRC and was most notably known for his role as  co-founder and Race Director of  the Lichfield 10K for 20 years, a position that he embraced with immense passion and drive.   His vision was for Lichfield Running Club to able to put on a quality race that could enjoyed by all and his determination for this resulted in the 10K being consistently awarded the prestigious gold BARR standard. Under his stewardship, the participation of the race has risen from just 170 entries in its first year to the race that we have today.

In addition to his 10k commitments Bob was also club secretary for many years, mainly in the days where communication to members couldn’t just be dealt with by universal email or Facebook post. For example, newsletters would have to be written, stapled together and sent by post. When he retired from the post it was necessary to split the roles between several members of the committee.

As an athlete he was an enthusiastic participant in the Grand Prix events and the Time Trials and also compiled all the results and calculated the handicap system. He also represented LRC in many marathons, notably several London events and internationally in New York and Boston as well as making contributions to the inter club relays in Sutton Park and the Birmingham Cross Country league.

Sadly Bob lost his brave battle against cancer in June 2017.

He left the club many legacies, one of which was his list of marathon training routes, all starting from King Edwards School. They all have links to MapMyRun, detailed descriptions including toilet and water stops! I’m sure Bob would be delighted to share them with you all.

Lichfield Running Club – Marathon Training Routes from King Edward VI Leisure Centre
Distance Route Comments / Map Map Reference
13.1 miles Manor Rise – Oakhurst – City Centre – Stowe Pool – path to Eastern Avenue – Netherstowe Lane – Fradley – Alrewas – cross conveyor belt to Barley Green Lane – Huddlesford – BurtonOld Road – Manor Rise Good half marathon practice route.  Fairly flat on quiet lanes http://www.mapmyrun.com/gb/lichfield-eng/13-mile-marathon-training-route-alrewas-route-46917754
 
13.4 miles London Road – Shoulder of Mutton – Knowle Lane – Birmingham Road – Wall cross roads – Chesterfield – Shenstone – Lynn – Stonnall (1st rt, 1st lft, 1st rt) – Walsall Road – Triangle – Swan Island – Abnalls Lane – return home through Beacon Park No water or toilet – fairly flat – all road. http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/231922305
 
13.9 miles Tamworth Road – Common Lane – Whittington – Burton Road – Stockford Lane – Fradley – Hay End Lane – Gorse Lane – Netherstowe Lane – Brownsfield Road – Bore Street Lichfield Half Marathon Route http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/237624105
 
14.5 miles Tamworth Road – Fox Inn – Leisure Centre on A513 – Elford – Fisherwick – Whittington – Tamworth Road – home Water and toilet at Rawletts Leisure Centre – roads – Can be windy for the last few miles http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/231932273
16.0 miles St John Street – Bird Street – Beacon Park – Abnals Lane –Swan Island – Cannock Road – A5190 – Chasewater Station – Loop around Chasewater – Church Street – Highfields Road to The Triangle – Hospital Road – Norton Lane Farewell Lane Return through Abnals & Beacon Park Pleasant country route, some cross country with no serious hills.  Water & Toilets at Railway Station http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/237616239
16.7 miles Tamworth Road – Horse and Jockey – Bridle-path – Hints – Ford – Canwell Estate – lane to Windley – Little Hay – Weeford – Jerry’s Lane – Tamworth Road –  Horse and Jockey – home No water or toilet – some hills – mainly off main roads and some cross-country. http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/231969393
17.1 miles Bird Street – Beacon Park – Abnalls Lane – Chorley – Farewell – Longdon Green – Seedy Mill – Tuppenhurst Lane – Canal – Mucky Duck – footpath to Watery Lane – home No water or toilet – Hilly start, but generally flat after the first few miles.  Some cross country. http://www.mapmyrun.com/gb/lichfield-eng/17-mile-marathon-training-run-canal-hanc-route-213880915
17.5 miles Tamworth Road – Jerry’s Lane – Weeford – Little Hay – Windley – Little Aston – Chester Road – Stonnall – Footherley – Shenstone – Chesterfield – Wall – home Water and toilet at garage on Chester Road – fairly flat – all road. http://www.mapmyrun.com/gb/lichfield-eng/17-mile-marathon-training-route-213787595
18.8 miles Bird Street – Beacon Park – Abnalls Lane – Chorley – Upper Longdon – Stile Cop – Hazelslade – Sevens Road – Redmoore – Chorley Road – Padbury Lane – Nelson – Abnalls Lane – return home through Beacon Park No water or toilet – some hills – all on roads. http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/231999341
19.1 miles Bird Street – Beacon Park – Abnalls Lane – Chorley – Upper Longdon – Stile Cop – Brereton – Lea Hall Lane – Armitage – Handsacre – Tuppenhurst Lane – Hanch Hall – Elmhurst – path – Dimbles Lane – Little Barrow – home Some hills – some cross country. http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/232215375
19.2 miles Bird Street – Minster Pool – Stowe Pool – Curborough Road – Netherstowe Lane – Black Swann – canal to A515 – path to Orgreave – Alrewas – lanes to Whittington – Dog Inn – return home through Darnford Lane and Boley Park No water or toilet – flat easy run with some cross country. Note: Check on availability of Orgreave footpath http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/232015167
19.5 miles Bird Street – Beacon Park – Abnalls Lane – Chorley – Upper Longdon – Brereton (around the back of the Wishing Well) – Lea Hall Lane – Ash Tree – canal to – Handsacre – Tuppenhurst Lane – Hanch Hall – Longdon Green – Farewell – Cross in Hand Lane – return home through Beacon Park Water and toilet at Wishing Well – hilly finish – mainly on roads. http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/232031351
19.9 miles Tamworth Road – Fox Inn – Wiggington – Syerscote Lane – Haunton – Harlaston – Elford – Fisherwick – Whittington – Tamworth Road – home Water / toilet at Rawletts Leisure Centre- flat – all tarmac. http://www.mapmyrun.com/gb/lichfield-eng/19-mile-marathon-training-route-syerscot-route-65953496
20.0 miles Bird Street – Minster Pool – Stowe Pool – footpath to Netherstowe-Eastern Avenue Watery Lane – concrete path – Elmhurst – Roundabout Garage – Hanch Hall – Tuppenhurst Lane – Handsacre – Pipe Ridware – Hamstall Ridware – A515 – Kings Bromley – (Loop) – Watery Lane – Stowe Pool – Minster pool– home Undulating – some cross country.  Toilets at Bromley Hayes Garden Centre, A515 and Curborough Craft Centre, Watery Lane http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/231818307
20.7 miles London Road – Shoulder of Mutton – Knowle Lane – Birmingham Road – Wall cross roads – Chesterfield – Shenstone – Footherly Lane – Forge Lane – Roman Road (Little Aston) – Sutton Park (Streetley Gate) – loop through park to Four Oaks Gate – Mere Green – Windley TV Mast (back road) – Little Hay – Shenstone – Knowle Lane – home Water / toilets in Sutton Park- some hills – mainly off main roads. http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/232175127
21.1 miles St John Street – Beacon Park – Abnals Lane – Chorley – Upper Longdon – Stile Cop – Brereton – Ash Tree – Canal to Tuppenhurst Lane – Hanch – Longdon Green – Cross in Hand Lane – Stafford Road Some hills at start but tough hills in the last few miles http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/237624105
21.5 miles Bird Street – Beacon Park – Abnalls Lane – Chorley – Dolly Makers – Gentleshaw – Rawnsley – West Cannock 5s Paths – Cannock Chase Visitor Centre – Marquis Drive – Upper Longdon – Cross in Hand Lane – return home along Beacon Street Water and toilet at Visitor Centre – tough hilly course – some cross country. http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/232191027
22.2 Miles Tamworth Road – Horse and Jockey – bridle path – Hints – Canwell – Windley – Little Aston – Chester Road – Stonnall Church – triangle – Swan Island – Abnalls Lane – home through Beacon Park Water and toilet at Chester Road Garage – fairly flat – some cross country. http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/237608047